Chapter 305: A Miscalculation, Ancient Realm Intel
A chilling killing intent, as cold and silent as death itself, swept through the air, carried by the biting winter wind.
The white-haired young man couldn’t help but smile playfully, letting the wind rustle his clothes and hair, and grinned: “I didn’t expect Lin Tianlu’s wife to be so unhinged, truly—”
“Die…!!”
Cheng Yishi charged towards him like a phantom, her eyes empty and crimson as she swung her battle-axe.
Boom!
The incredible force tore through the earth, the remaining power ripping through the ground, sending dust and debris flying.
“Truly dangerous.”
The white-haired young man had dodged at some point, clapping with a frivolous expression: “The intelligence we gathered was indeed outdated. I didn’t expect Madam Cheng to have already reached the Crimson Demon Realm, her power truly astonishing.
If I had sent some envoys to greet you two today, they would surely have been cleaved in two by your axe.”
“Hmph!”
Cheng Yishi spun around, her face like a cold and sinister ghost, her hair flying wildly. The battle-axe in her hand seemed to be imbued with a bloody killing intent, swirling with crimson light as she swung and smashed it, creating deafening roars.
“Such impulsive rage is meaningless, Madam Cheng. After all, Lin Tianlu won’t come back to life because of this. Once he falls into the trap, his fate is sealed.”
The white-haired young man dodged swiftly and gracefully amidst the fierce attacks, avoiding the wild and disorganized onslaught, and said calmly: “If you’re still angry, Madam, why don’t you leave this sad place with me?”
As he spoke, he dodged the sweeping axe blade again. Although the smile remained on his face, a hint of surprise and suspicion flickered in his eyes.
Something was strange.
He gradually felt that the woman’s aura was continuously rising, rapidly increasing as if without limit. The battle-axe in her hand swirled with crimson light, each strike becoming more powerful, making the surrounding earth tremble slightly.
“Those related to Lin Tianlu are truly strange. He must be hiding some secrets.”
The white-haired young man dodged another axe blow, looking at the empty and vacant eyes that flashed past him, a chill running down his spine.
This woman was truly a lunatic.
“However, there’s no need to get entangled with her any further, it would only create more variables.”
His eyes flickered, and he quickly glanced at Mao Ruoyu, who was standing frozen in place not far away, a smile appearing on his lips.
“This woman… is a good target.”
Cheng Yishi swung her axe, cleaving him in two, but the two halves of his body instantly turned into green smoke and dispersed.
The white-haired young man’s figure appeared almost simultaneously behind Mao Ruoyu, grinning as he reached out: “If you want to know how to save Lin Tianlu, then come with me obediently—”
Pfft!
A deep wound suddenly appeared on his chest, bone-deep.
The white-haired young man froze, stunned, and looked down to see that he had been attacked by some unknown force!
No—
“…”
Mao Ruoyu looked back, her expression cold and frosty, countless silver lights intertwining and flickering in her eyes, her entire aura drastically transformed.
In an instant, even the ground beneath her feet began to freeze and spread rapidly, the dust and debris in the air freezing and solidifying with a series of soft cracking sounds, sparkling like starlight under the moonlight.
“—Die.”
With a single word, Mao Ruoyu pointed.
The white-haired young man sensed danger and quickly dodged, but his expression suddenly changed, and he clutched his chest, stumbling a few steps, his face filled with shock.
“This is… a technique targeting the soul? It can even freeze my Savage Realm body—”
Just then, Cheng Yishi’s figure, like a phantom, suddenly leaped from behind, her expression vacant, her fierce killing intent surging like a tidal wave, as she swung her axe with both hands.
“Tsk!”
The white-haired young man’s face showed a look of unwillingness as he barely managed to block the axe blow with his right arm.
But the moment his arm touched the blade, a look of shock appeared in his eyes. His previously indestructible arm was instantly severed!
Barely dodging the falling axe, he looked at his severed arm flying through the air, his astonishment growing: “What’s going on!? These two women… what kind of monsters are they?!”
Not only had they reached the Crimson Demon Realm in less than half a year, but they also possessed such incredible secret techniques… This wasn’t something ordinary demons or ghosts could possess, let alone these two being ghost practitioners!
“It seems I have to be serious to subdue them!”
His mind racing, the white-haired young man grinned ferociously and formed hand seals with one hand. A surge of Yin energy shattered the ice clinging to his body and rapidly expanded, trying to envelop the two women.
“I’ll capture you both in one fell swoop—”
Pfft!
A head suddenly flew into the air, a confident smile still lingering on the handsome face.
Only as he spun through the air did he finally react, a look of confusion and shock appearing on his face: “How… how…”
He glanced down with some effort and saw that his body, which had been standing on the ground, had been torn apart into countless pieces, freezing and scattering like ice shards.
Countless ice swords were embedded in the ground within a radius of several dozen feet, the moonlight beautiful and ethereal, yet concealing a chilling killing intent, as if this place had become a desolate ice city devoid of life.
“So… Lin Tianlu… has helpers…”
Dozens of ice swords flashed and intertwined in mid-air, instantly reducing the head to dust.
The light converged, and Yun Yue, her expression indifferent, landed gracefully on the ground. With a wave of her sleeve, the desolate ice city scene surrounding them instantly dissipated, as if it had never existed.
Cheng Yishi and Mao Ruoyu were slightly stunned and were about to speak when Yun Yue quickly said calmly: “Calm down, you two, don’t lose your composure.”
“But Tianlu, he—”
“A few words from that villain are enough to make you lose your cool?”
Yun Yue sighed softly and pointed with both hands, a calming technique enveloping them. “Tianlu is clearly fine, he’s just temporarily left this place. In my opinion, he’s probably been pulled into the nearby ancient realm and is now looking for a way to escape and return.”
The strange light in Mao Ruoyu’s eyes gradually faded, and after a moment of stunned silence, she murmured: “So, Tianlu is still safe?”
Crack!
Another crack suddenly appeared not far away, making the three of them tense up.
But a familiar figure quickly emerged from within.
“Ah, you’re here too?”
Lin Tianlu waved with a smile: “Sorry, it took me a while to get back… Uh, what happened just now?”
He looked at the bloodstained battle-axe in Cheng Yishi’s hand with a slightly surprised expression, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding area, where he could still see several smoking cracks and crevices.
Cheng Yishi was stunned for a moment.
Then, she quickly dispelled the battle-axe formed from Yin energy and ran towards him, throwing herself into his arms, overjoyed.
“It’s good that you’re alright, husband!”
“…It seems I caused you some misunderstanding?”
Lin Tianlu patted Yishi’s head and looked at Mao Ruoyu and Yun Yue, who were walking towards them, with a wry smile: “Did you think I was ambushed and killed?”
“Don’t say such unlucky things, my husband.” Mao Ruoyu clicked her tongue softly.
Yun Yue chuckled: “Seeing you suddenly disappear, these two girls were quite worried, almost tearing this place apart.”
Hearing this, Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly.
Even Youluo, who had also returned, was speechless, looking at the two women with a strange expression.
These two girls were more dependent on their husband than she had imagined, their love truly deep. She hadn’t expected such a fierce reaction to the “bad news.”
“It’s good that you’re fine, husband.”
Cheng Yishi took a few deep breaths, regaining her composure.
She patted her chest, her voice filled with relief and lingering fear: “Hearing that villain’s words just now, I was truly scared.”
“Villain?”
“An unknown demon from some faction, young in appearance, with white hair, his words and actions frivolous.” Yun Yue explained: “And from his words, it seems he was the one who orchestrated all this, wanting to use the power of the ancient realm to attack you, Tianlu. Even if he couldn’t defeat you, he could take this opportunity to kidnap Ruoyu and Yishi and use them as hostages.”
Lin Tianlu frowned slightly.
Since when did he have such a grudge against a demon?
And this action and arrangement didn’t seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a premeditated plan.
“But this person clearly doesn’t know about my existence. He’s probably not one of the demons from Jianggai County.” Yun Yue analyzed calmly and cautiously: “Perhaps he learned your name earlier, Tianlu, and after finding out that you were coming to Wuchang Province, he started plotting to eliminate you, to prevent you from interfering with his plans.”
“That’s indeed a possibility.”
Lin Tianlu asked curiously: “But where is this person now?”
“Sister Yun has already eliminated him.”
Mao Ruoyu glanced back at the scattered debris and murmured: “He probably can’t be resurrected.”
“That’s not the case.”
Yun Yue shook her head: “Although this person seemed frivolous, his cultivation is quite extraordinary, and he’s very cautious. I only destroyed one of his intentionally created clones, not his true body.”
“It’s troublesome to have such a demon of unknown origin lurking in the shadows…”
“Perhaps, I know his identity~”
Youluo suddenly chuckled softly.
Lin Tianlu exclaimed softly: “You know him, Miss Youluo?”
She waved her folding fan with a smile: “Don’t forget that I love to travel the world, I’ve naturally seen many powerful demons and ghosts. Based on Miss Yun’s description, this person is very likely from the Luo Xing, his name is Bai Shiyi.”
Luo Xing?
Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred.
He had been dealing with this organization since the first day he arrived in Changling.
But he hadn’t expected to be targeted by them again, he truly didn’t know what their purpose was.
“He’s a Luo Xing Soultaker, his personality eccentric and unpredictable. This sudden attack might have some hidden motive, or perhaps… he simply wanted to eliminate a threat.”
Youluo glanced sideways and chuckled: “And to attack near Fengtai County, he probably wanted to keep you out of the picture, Master Lin, preventing you from interfering with the eight clans’ secret realm.
It’s a pity that he miscalculated. He didn’t expect your wives to have a fox accompanying them, nor did he expect your abilities to be far greater than he imagined, Master Lin.”
This single miscalculation had ruined his entire plan, all his schemes becoming laughable blunders.
Not only had he failed to eliminate the threat, but if those in the ancient realm, who had been used, had any brains, they would hold a grudge against him.
A complete and utter defeat.
Lin Tianlu smiled faintly and cupped his hands: “Thank you for pointing me in the right direction, Miss Youluo. Otherwise, it would have taken me a while to return.”
“It was nothing.”
Youluo suddenly made a subtle expression, murmuring to herself.
She had originally intended to help him out of “kindness,” but she hadn’t expected this scholar’s abilities to be so astonishing, casually tearing open a passage back to the demon and ghost world from the ancient realm. The only help she had provided…
…was simply “pointing him in the right direction.”
“Still, thank you, Miss Youluo. If it weren’t for your help, my husband might not have returned so smoothly.”
Mao Ruoyu quietly walked over and gently embraced her: “I might have been a bit rude to you before, Miss Youluo, I hope you can forgive me.”
“Oh my~” Although Youluo was stunned, she quickly caressed Mao Ruoyu’s back and smiled seductively: “You’re still so understanding, Madam Mao, how could I take those words to heart?”
As she casually comforted her, she was also secretly marveling.
Now that they were embracing, she truly realized how incredibly large and impressive Mao Ruoyu’s breasts were, hidden beneath her thick robe. Being pressed against them made it a bit difficult for her to breathe.
No wonder that scholar was so captivated—
Lin Tianlu looked at the surrounding ruins, shrouded in green smoke, and chuckled awkwardly.
“Such a commotion, if the villagers hear it and come over, it will be troublesome. Why don’t we leave this place first?”
“As I said before, how about… we sit down and chat at this old man’s house?”
A low chuckle suddenly echoed.
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi looked towards the voice warily, but Lin Tianlu quickly reassured them with a smile: “Don’t worry, this old man is more or less a good person.”
“Heh! It’s the first time I’ve been called a good person, truly a novel experience.”
The strange old man emerged from the shadows with the elderly village head.
He looked at them with a strange and surprised expression: “But I didn’t expect to encounter such an… unimaginably powerful existence during a casual outing, easily breaking through the Cleansing Hall’s ambush and returning unharmed.”
“You flatter me, old man.”
Lin Tianlu cupped his hands from afar and glanced at the village head beside him: “I apologize for the trouble tonight, Village Head, even this old mansion has been razed to the ground. You’ve suffered quite a loss.”
“Don’t worry, sir, this was just an abandoned house used for concealment, it’s fine if it’s gone.” The village head sighed: “It’s good that everyone is safe and sound.”
“Let’s go, I’ve blocked most of the commotion from the battle, not many villagers will notice anything unusual tonight.”
The old man casually stroked his beard and turned to leave: “I’m quite curious now and want to have a good chat with you, scholar.”
…
Inside the old house, candles flickered dimly.
Lin Tianlu took a sip of freshly brewed tea and looked at the old man sitting opposite him.
After a moment of silence, he spoke: “Why are you staring at me like that, old man?”
“Why do you think I’m looking at you?”
The old man crossed his legs and grinned: “I’ve never seen or heard of such an extraordinary existence like you in my thousand years of life, so naturally, I have to take a good look while I can.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and continued: “I still don’t know your name, old man.”
“You can call me Zuo Luanzi.”
He waved his hand casually: “Although no one has called me that for many years, even I can barely remember it.”
It was indeed a strange name.
Lin Tianlu was about to ask about the ancient realm when Zuo Luanzi quickly spoke: “The ones who attacked you just now were from the Cleansing Hall, one of the thirty-six halls of the ancient realm. Their hall master is called Fang Haiwei. And those phantoms were all experts recruited by the Cleansing Hall, their cultivation is quite good, they have some reputation in the ancient realm.”
“Thirty-six halls…”
Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred.
There were thirty-five other such organizations in the ancient realm?
“Heh, although it sounds like a lot, many of those thirty-six halls are just mediocre, not worth mentioning. However, the Cleansing Hall, using almost all their strength, does have some skill.”
Zuo Luanzi sneered: “Compared to you, perhaps only the eighteen kings in the ancient realm have the strength to face you.”
“And… eighteen kings?”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned even stranger.
Why were they all in such specific numbers?
Would there be something like nine heavenly kings next?
“The ancient realm is no smaller than the Fengchen Kingdom, so naturally, this vast territory needs to be managed. That’s how the eighteen kings came to be.”
Zuo Luanzi chuckled: “A thousand years ago, these positions were determined through battles and fights, regardless of their governing abilities or prestige, only their cultivation level mattered.”
“So, these eighteen kings are the strongest in the ancient realm—”
“Not necessarily.”
He quickly changed the subject: “A thousand years have passed, and these positions have naturally changed. Some were replaced by stronger individuals, while others passed down their titles to their descendants, maintaining the relationships between their families and subordinates… Of course, this is only a small minority in the ancient realm.”
Lin Tianlu pondered.
So, the eighteen kings and thirty-six halls were more like independent factions in different locations.
This so-called ancient realm was indeed a land where people lived.
Just in a different… dimension from the demon and ghost world?
“What do you think about the upcoming opening of the eight clans’ secret realm, Old Master Zuo?”
“Heh, you know about it.” Zuo Luanzi narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: “Could it be that the Left Guardian of the Law let it slip, or was it someone else—”
“It was me~”
Youluo, also sitting in the room, said casually: “I overheard it in the ancient realm. However, I haven’t heard of any specific plans from the ancient realm.”
Zuo Luanzi looked at her intently: “This kind of information isn’t something ordinary people would know. I’ve never heard of you in the ancient realm, woman.”
“I’m quite skilled at stealth and concealment, it’s not surprising that I occasionally overhear interesting conversations.”
Youluo covered her face with her fan and chuckled: “It can only be blamed on the hall masters of the thirty-six halls and their subordinates, their mouths aren’t very tight, always chatting about things they shouldn’t in private.”
“Heh! The people gathered around you, scholar, are all quite strange.”
Zuo Luanzi chuckled and didn’t press the matter further.
He quickly looked back at Lin Tianlu, leaning against the tea table with his elbow, and said: “I don’t know what grudge you have against the Cleansing Hall, or what schemes you have for the opening of the eight clans’ secret realm, but if you’re planning to harm the ancient realm… you better be wary of the kings of the ancient realm.”
Lin Tianlu asked curiously: “Are they truly that powerful?”
“As the strongest in the ancient realm, they’re naturally not comparable to the hall master of the Cleansing Hall.”
Zuo Luanzi’s eyes narrowed, and he smiled coldly: “I can’t comment on the other kings, but there’s one king you should be particularly wary of. He barely governs his territory and has few followers, but his authority is absolute because of his terrifying cultivation, enough to dominate the ancient realm.
He has few desires and usually cultivates in seclusion in his palace, not caring about worldly affairs. But there’s one thing he’s passionate about.”
“What is it?”
“Fighting, battling, fighting to the death against strong opponents, causing chaos and destruction, overturning heaven and earth.”
A ferocious smile appeared on Zuo Luanzi’s old face: “A man of courage and pride, seeking not fame or fortune, but a worthy opponent for a good fight!”
Lin Tianlu was intrigued and quickly asked: “What is this person’s name and identity?”
“East Fuxiao King, Fuxiao.”
“…”
A heavy silence fell upon the room.
Zuo Luanzi grinned: “Are you scared?
It’s understandable, this East Fuxiao King’s cultivation is truly heaven-defying, he can even be considered the strongest king in the ancient realm. Even if you can easily break through the Cleansing Hall’s ambush, the outcome of a direct confrontation with him… is still uncertain.”
“Fuxiao? I wonder if there’s another person named Fuxiao—”
“Who in the vast ancient realm would dare to use that name? There’s only one Fuxiao in the ancient realm.”
“Uh… he’s truly formidable then.”
Lin Tianlu nodded with a subtle expression, forcing a response.
This East Fuxiao King, Fuxiao…
If it wasn’t a coincidence, it should be the same person.
From a strange perspective, this person could indeed be considered “formidable.”
